An important part of the process, when exploring majors and careers is considering your interests, personality, strengths, skills, and values in order to make informed and satisfying decisions. Career assessments are a great place to start! Below are several assessment options to guide you in your decision-making process about majors, internships, career paths, and more. At any time, you can meet with a Career Development Specialist to discuss career assessments that best meet your needs and how-to apply what you’ve learned.
In-Depth Career Assessments
These three career assessments below can be taken through the Career Center. After completing an assessment, a follow-up appointment is scheduled with a Career Development Specialist to help interpret your results. The student and alumni cost is $20 per assessment, and $50 per assessment for community members.
Strong Interest Inventory (SII)
Definition: Compares your interests to the interests of people who are happily employed in a wide variety of occupations.
Why take the assessment: Gives you both major and career options to explore based on your interests.
How to take the assessment: Come to our office in 22 Solon Campus Center, call us at 218-726-7985, or email us at [email protected] for information on how to pay for and take the Strong Interest Inventory® assessment.
How long does it take? Approximately 30 minutes.
Cost: $20 (price includes student discount!)
Action steps: After meeting with a Career Development Specialist, look at potential majors and careers with these resources:
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Definition: Identifies your “personality type” which can be related to potential career choices and working environments.
Why take the assessment: Your preferences impact what and how you do your work. Understanding your preferences will help you understand yourself and others and how you communicate and collaborate.
How to take the assessment: Come to our office in 22 Solon Campus Center, call us at 218-726-7985, or email us at [email protected] for information on how to pay for and take the MBTI® assessment.
How long does it take? Approximately 30 minutes.
Cost: $20 (price includes student discount!)
Action steps: Do more research on your MBTI type using these resources:
- Truity MBTI 16 Type resources
- 16 Personalities
- Do What You Are (Tieger & Barron)
- Myers Briggs Personality Types (via Ball State University)
CliftonStrengths for Students (Strengths)
Definition: Identifies your top 5 strengths
Why take the assessment: Completing the assessment is your way to:
- discover what you naturally do best
- learn how to develop your greatest talents into strengths
-
use your personalized results and reports to maximize your potential
(Source: CliftonStrengths®)
How to take the assessment: Come to our office in 22 Solon Campus Center, call us at 218-726-7985, or email us at [email protected] for information on how to pay for and take the Strengths assessment.
How long does it take? Approximately 30 minutes. Please note: Each question is timed and you have 20 seconds to respond per question.
Cost: $20 (price includes student discount!)
Action steps: Log into your GALLUP Access account:
- Review detailed information on your top 5 Strengths in your CliftonStrengths for Students Report and learn more about each strength and related action steps.
- Review your Strengths Insight Guide under “Your CliftonStrengths Reports” to learn detailed information regarding each strength tailored to you.
- Check out the CliftonStrengths for Students Companion Guide and the CliftonStrengths for Students Book in the Resources tab.
Self Assessments
The following assessments are free and available online.
CAREERwise Interest Inventory
CAREERwise Interest Inventory - identifies your interest profile and related career categories you may enjoy. Similar to the Strong Interest Inventory®
Personal Style Inventory
Personal Style Inventory - identifies your “personality type”. Similar to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®
Skills Inventory
Skills Inventory - helps you identify your work-related skills.
Work Values Assessments
CareerOneStop Values Sort Activity
CareerOneStop Values Sort Activity - use this tool to match your career values with possible career paths.
Values Ranking Activity
The following is a list of common career values. Rank order the list using “1” as the most important to determine what is important to you and to better understand how your values can impact your career choices. Feel free to add additional values to the list important to you that are not included here.
___ Job security
___ Problem solving
___ Receiving sufficient training and supervision
___ Creativity
___ Working with your hands
___ Salary and benefits
___ High sense of achievement
___ Professional development
___ Working with people
___ Independence
___ Work-life balance
___ Routine activity
___ Variety
___ Safety
___ Getting along with co-workers
___ Being physically active
___ Leadership
___ Opportunities for advancement
___ Location
___ Helping others
___ Flexible schedule
___ Diversity
___ Recognition
___ Status
___ Environment/sustainability